Say Goodbye to the Traditional Venue: Here’s How to Turn your Backyard into the Perfect Space for your Wedding

Backyard weddings are gaining increased popularity, and for good reason, as they offer an intimate and budget-friendly way to celebrate the big day. One of the most important details when planning a wedding is booking the venue, which can come with strict layouts, time slots, and vendor requirements. 

However, this isn’t the case when it comes to your home’s backyard, which is why it makes for such a wonderful space for your wedding, giving you complete control over all the details. 

Besides, when hosting your wedding in the backyard, you won’t have to worry about hefty venue fees, and you’ll instead have the chance to focus your budget on the most important elements, such as custom invitations, décor, flowers, and the wedding cake. 

Not only that, but you’re also free to add any personal touches you like, be they DIY photo booths, fairy lights, or cozy seating areas for guests. Of course, if you decide to use your backyard as a wedding venue, it’s essential to prepare the space for the big day. 

Lucky for you, there’s no need to hire a designer or decorator for that, and if you need help with the process, you will find our top 6 tips below on transforming your backyard into the perfect wedding venue. Read on!

Consider dividing up the space

If your space allows, it’s a good idea to designate specific areas for guests' arrivals, the reception, the ceremony, and the after-party. Spreading out the festivities will ensure the flow remains steady and streamlined during the event, making guest transitions easier. 

For the ceremony, make sure to choose the most atmospheric area, but test it out first by taking a photo with you in the front at the time you want to get married. This way, you will ensure everything works out as you want it to and that the lighting is adequate. Regarding after-reception festivities, it’s recommended to host them in the coziest area of your backyard. 

Prepare the dance floor

Backyard weddings are wonderful, but you need to consider practicality. Dancing on grass can be challenging, and if you don’t have a paved courtyard area, it’s essential to bring in flooring. This will provide a smooth dancing surface and allow you to designate an area where guests can gather while the music is playing. 

If you find flooring too expensive, make sure to tell guests to wear the right footwear. Lawns and stilettos don’t go well together, and they can result in a disaster, so if you want to provide a comfortable experience for guests, offer them lawn heel protectors or at least let them know in advance about wearing wedges. You should, of course, give them this information as soon as you can, because guests will need to prepare their outfits, and since the dresses needs to match footwear for the ladies, you don’t want them to spend money on a pair of heels only to end up damaging the shoes. 

Elevate the existing flora

When bringing in florals for the event, consider the existing landscape and be mindful of the flowers in season, as this will provide an authentic feel. An excellent way to approach this is to bring in complementary neutral florals, as regardless of the season, they are elegant and classic. 

Another way to approach this is to enhance existing plantings artificially. For example, you can replace hydrangea bushes or roses with tubed blooms of the flower by nestling them into the bush. If you have other floral arrangements in mind, keep the weather in mind: if it’s very hot, the flowers should be kept in a cool air-conditioned space. 

Make the decor meaningful 

Regardless of the type of decor you’re looking to achieve, it’s essential to make it as meaningful and personal as possible. Couples often use silverware, china, and crystal as their place setting, and you can do the same, making the event much more special by adding a unique touch.

There’s no need to keep things uniform in terms of decor – instead, you can opt for an assortment of vintage glasses or goblets to achieve a bohemian effect. Keep in mind also that décor doesn’t just include linens and florals: bar facades, treatments to tent ceilings, and specialty napkins are also essential elements to consider. Most of the time, it’s the small details that matter the most, so make sure they reflect your aesthetic as a couple as well as the surrounding area. 

Consider catering

Hosting your wedding in the backyard has plenty of benefits, but unlike a venue, it doesn’t have a professional kitchen that allows for food preparation. Even if you have a sizable home kitchen, it’s still likely not possible to use it to prepare meals for hundreds of guests. 

Therefore, it’s essential to discuss with your caterer and ensure they can set up the right amount of space, as well as figure out the necessary outdoor grills and adequate heating and energy to help ensure guests are fed during the wedding without a hitch. 

Have a backup plan for bad weather

You can hope for the best when it comes to the weather during the big day, but make sure to have a plan B in place in case things don’t turn out in your favor. If possible, consider having a tent available if it rains at the wedding. The good news is that it’s possible to decorate the tent with greenery and florals to ensure the right ambiance. 

Make sure to also check for the speed of the wind because this can be a lot worse compared to the rain and might disrupt your event considerably. You need to have EZ Clips at the ready to secure linens in place, and if you’re opting for a seated dinner, it will be necessary to place cards in forks, place menus under wine bottles, and keep the napkins under plates. Remember: the more you prepare, the better the outcome will be for the big day, so don’t overlook the importance of early planning for anything that may not go as expected. 

The bottom line

Why bother with the complexities of booking a traditional venue when you can instead use your backyard as the space to host the wedding? This can be a rewarding endeavour that will provide an intimate experience not just for you but also for guests. With proper planning, and a touch of creativity, you can turn your backyard into a magical wedding setting that tells your unique love story.